Quarterhill (QTRHF) 40-F 8 Feb 16 2015 FY Annual report (Canada) Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015shares
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	40-F
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	WILN
Entity Registrant Name	Wi-LAN Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,518,419
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	120,842,448

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Earnings - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenue
Royalties	$ 102,855	$ 98,311
Operating expenses
Cost of revenue	70,400	63,201
Research and development	2,430	2,416
Marketing, general and administration	7,462	10,565
Foreign exchange loss	2,985	2,038
Impairment of assets	1,747
Restructuring charges	1,302
Total operating expenses	86,326	78,220
Earnings from operations	16,529	20,091
Investment income	428	533
Earnings before income taxes	16,957	20,624
Provision for income tax expense
Current	4,013	4,623
Deferred	2,908	6,290
Provision for income tax recovery	6,921	10,913
Net and comprehensive earnings	$ 10,036	$ 9,711
Earnings per share
Basic	$ 0.08	$ 0.08
Diluted	$ 0.08	$ 0.08
Weighted average number of common shares
Basic	120,713,535	120,103,422
Diluted	120,720,171	120,368,583

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 93,431	$ 126,311
Short-term investments	1,120	1,336
Accounts receivable (Note 11)	8,436	2,198
Prepaid expenses and deposits	1,607	494
Total Current Assets	104,594	130,339
Loan receivable (Note 4)	1,497	1,268
Property and equipment, net (Note 5)	1,614	1,894
Patents, net (Note 6)	155,213	146,485
Deferred tax asset (Note 3)	17,677	20,585
Goodwill	12,623	12,623
Total Assets	293,218	313,194
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 9)	23,205	18,915
Current portion of patent finance obligations (Note 8)	8,085	17,418
Total Current Liabilities	31,290	36,333
Patent finance obligations (Note 8)	19,895	27,465
Success fee obligation (Note 9)	655	3,639
Total Liabilities	$ 51,840	$ 67,437
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Shareholders' equity
Capital stock	$ 427,781	$ 426,037
Additional paid-in capital	16,549	16,375
Accumulated other comprehensive income	16,225	16,225
Deficit	(219,177)	(212,880)
Total Stockholders' Equity	241,378	245,757
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 293,218	$ 313,194

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash generated from (used in) Operations
Net earnings	$ 10,036	$ 9,711
Non-cash items
Stock-based compensation	847	2,081
Depreciation and amortization	38,164	35,139
Foreign exchange loss	1,339	1,082
Loss on disposal of assets	15	1
Impairment of assets	1,747
Deferred income tax expense	2,908	6,290
Accrued investment income	(229)	(193)
Changes in non-cash working capital balances
Accounts receivable	(6,238)	9,801
Prepaid expenses and deposits	(1,113)	98
Payments associated with success fee obligation	(3,736)	(4,032)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(208)	(1,349)
Cash generated from operations	43,532	58,629
Financing
Dividends paid	(20,082)	(18,725)
Common shares repurchased under normal course issuer bid	(329)	(472)
Common shares issued for cash on the exercise of options	1,269	759
Common shares issued for cash from Employee Share Purchase Plan	131	171
Cash used in financing	(19,011)	(18,267)
Investing
Sale of short-term investments		121
Purchase of property and equipment	(178)	(422)
Repayment of patent finance obligations	(18,127)	(8,865)
Purchase of patents	(37,973)	(34,197)
Cash used in investing	(56,278)	(43,363)
Foreign exchange loss on cash held in foreign currency	(1,123)	(1,082)
Net cash and cash equivalents used in the year	(32,880)	(4,083)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	126,311	130,394
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$ 93,431	$ 126,311

Consolidated Statements of Shar

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Capital Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Deficit [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 253,109	$ 425,238	$ 14,635	$ 16,225	$ (202,989)
Comprehensive earnings (loss):
Net earnings	9,711				9,711
Shares and options issued:
Stock-based compensation expense (Note 10 (d))	2,081		2,081
Exercise of stock options (Note 10 (c))	759	1,160	(401)
Sale of shares under Employee Share Purchase Plan (Note 10 (c))	171	171
Shares repurchased under normal course issuer bid (Note 10 (c))	(472)	(532)	60
Dividends declared (Note 10 (c))	(19,602)				(19,602)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	245,757	426,037	16,375	16,225	(212,880)
Comprehensive earnings (loss):
Net earnings	10,036				10,036
Shares and options issued:
Stock-based compensation expense (Note 10 (d))	847		847
Exercise of stock options (Note 10 (c))	1,269	2,056	(787)
Sale of shares under Employee Share Purchase Plan (Note 10 (c))	131	131
Shares repurchased under normal course issuer bid (Note 10 (c))	(329)	(443)	114
Dividends declared (Note 10 (c))	(16,333)				(16,333)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 241,378	$ 427,781	$ 16,549	$ 16,225	$ (219,177)

Nature of Business

Nature of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of Business	1. NATURE OF BUSINESS Wi-LAN Inc. (“WiLAN” or the “Company”) is an intellectual property licensing company which develops, acquires, licenses and otherwise enforces a range of patented technologies which are utilized in products in a wide array of markets including communications and consumer electronics , medical, industrial , semiconductor, automotive and aerospace . The Company generates revenue by licensing its patents to companies that sell products utilizing technologies including: Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, CDMA, DSL, DOCSIS, Bluetooth , V-Chip , 3D television, automo tive headlight assemblies, semiconductor manufacturing and packag ing , medical stent, video streaming, CMOS image sensors, building automation, computer gaming, smart meter monitoring and LED light ing . The Company also generates revenue by licensing patent portfolios on behalf of its partners and, if necessary, the enforcement of their patented technologies.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements of WiLAN include the accounts of WiLAN and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. The significant accounting policies are summarized below: Estimates and Assumptions The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the years. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant accounting policies contained herein include estimates and assumptions with respect to best estimate of selling price, determination of discount rates, recoverability of deferred tax assets, determination of indicators of impairment assessment and related impairment assessments , initial estimate of risk of concessions, timing of payments related to patent finance obligations, and the assumptions used in determining the fair value of stock options granted. Revenue Recognition The Company’s revenue consists principally of royalty revenue from licensing its own patent portfolio. The Company may also generate royalty revenue from licensing patent portfolios on behalf of its partners . The Company considers revenue to be earned when it has persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the obligation has been fulfilled in accordance with the terms of the licensing agreement, including delivery and acceptance, the amounts are fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. The Company defers recognizing revenue until such time as all criteria are met. Determination of whether or not these criteria have been met may require the Company to make judgments, assumptions and estimates based upon current information and historical experience. The Company’s royalty revenues consist of fixed fee and running royalty payments. Royalties from running royalty arrangements can be based on either a percentage of sales or number of units sold for which the Company earns royalties at the time the licensees’ sales occur. The licensees are obligated to provide the Company with quarterly or semi-annual royalty reports and these reports are typically received subsequent to the period in which the licensees underlying sales occurred. The Company’s licensees do not, however, report and pay royalties owed for sales in any given reporting period until after the conclusion of that reporting period. As the Company is unable to estimate the licensees’ sales in any given reporting period to determine the royalties due to it, the Company recognizes running royalty revenues based on royalties reported by the licensees during the quarter and when other revenue recognition criteria are met. The Company monitors the receipt of royalty reports to ensure that there is not a disproportionate number of months of revenue in any given fiscal year. Royalties from fixed fee royalty arrangements may consist of one or more installments of cash. The timing and amount of revenue recognized from each licensee depends upon a variety of factors, including the specific terms of each agreement and the nature of the deliverables and obligations. Where agreements include multiple elements, the Company assesses if the deliverables have standalone value upon delivery, and if so, accounts for each deliverable separately. When multiple-deliverables included in an arrangement are separated into different units of accounting, the arrangement consideration is allocated to the identified separate units based on a relative selling price hierarchy. WiLAN determines the relative selling price for a deliverable based on its best estimate of selling price (“BESP”). WiLAN determines BESP by considering its overall pricing objectives and market conditions. Significant pricing practices taken into consideration include discounting practices, the size and volume of transactions, the customer demographic, the geographic area covered by licenses, price lists, licensing strategy, historical standalone licenses and contracted royalty rates. The determination of BESP is made through consultation with and approval by management, taking into consideration the licensing strategy. As part of the partner ing agreements with third parties, the Company is able to recover certain out-of-pocket expenses and legal costs. These amounts are included in revenue in the years which the aforementioned revenue criteria is met and the amounts become reimbursable. Revenue arrangements with extended payment terms, where fees are fixed in one or more installments of cash and which contain terms that could impact the amounts ultimately collected, are generally recognized as collection becomes assured. Stock-based Compensation The Company has a share option plan (“Option Plan”) for certain employees, directors and consultants. The Company accounts for stock options using the fair value method. Compensation expense is measured at the estimated fair value of the options at the date of grant and charged to earnings on a straight-line basis over the vesting periods. The amount expensed is credited to additional paid-in capital in the period. Upon the exercise of stock options, cash received is credited to share capital together with any amount previously credited to additional paid-in capital related to the options exercised. Deferred Stock Units (“DSUs” ) The Company has a DSU plan for certain employees and directors. The DSUs vest immediately and the Company has the right to settle the DSUs in either cash or by the issuance of common shares. The liability for outstanding units and related expense for the DSUs are adjusted to reflect the market value of the common shares at each balance sheet date. Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) The Company has a RSU plan for certain employees and directors. Under the RSU plan, units are settled in cash based on the market value of WiLAN’s common shares on dates the RSUs vest. The RSUs vest over a three -year period. The accrued liability and related expense for the RSUs are adjusted to reflect the market value of the common shares at each balance sheet date . Income Taxes The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the accounting and tax bases of the assets and liabilities and measured using the substantively enacted tax rates that are expected to be in effect when the differences are estimated to be reversed. In assessing the realizability of deferred income tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient future taxable income during the periods prior to the expiration of the associated tax attributes. Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue includes patent licensing expenses, royalty obligations, staff costs (including stock-based compensation) and other costs incurred in conducting license negotiations as well as litigation , the expenses related to the management of the patent portfolio, contingent partner payments and legal fees and amortization expense related to acquired patents, which are expensed as incurred. Research and Development (“R&D”) R&D includes engineering expenses, staff costs (including stock-based compensation) and certain external consultants related to the d evelopment efforts, which are expensed as incurred. Computation of Earnings (Loss) Per Share Basic earnings/loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings/loss per share is computed using the treasury stock method. Foreign Currency Translation The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar; monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average rate for the period. The gains and losses from foreign currency denominated transactions are included in foreign exchange gain/loss in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive earnings. The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts, from time to time, to manage its exposure to currency rate fluctuations related primarily to future cash inflows and outflows of Canadian dollars. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes and it has chosen not to designate them as hedges. Therefore these contracts must be fair valued each quarter. The resulting gain or loss on the valuation of these financial instruments is included in foreign exchange gain/loss in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive earnings. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in bank accounts, term deposits and Guaranteed Investment Certificates (“GICs”) with maturities of three months or less at the date of the investment . Short-term Investments Short-term investments are designated as “held to maturity” and accounted for at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Short-term investments comprise GICs with maturities of one-year or less at the date of investment and their carrying value approximates their fair value. Loan Receivable The loan receivable is accounted for at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Property and Equipment Furniture and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows: Leasehold improvements term of the lease Computer equipment and software 3 years Furniture and equipment 5 years Patents Patents include patents and patent rights (hereinafter, collectively “patents”) and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is calculated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful life or the remaining term of the patent (up to 20 years), whichever is less. Impairment of long-lived assets The Company reviews long-lived assets ("LLA") such as property and equipment and patent asset groups for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset or asset group may not be recoverable. These events and circumstances may include significant decreases in the market price of an asset or asset group, significant changes in the extent or manner in which an asset or asset group is being used by the Company or in its physical condition, a significant change in legal factors or in the business climate, a history or forecast of future operating or cash flow losses, significant disposal activity, a significant decline in the Company's share price, a significant decline in revenues or adverse changes in the economic environment. When significant indicators of impairment exist, LLA impairment is tested using a two-step process. The Company performs a cash flow recoverability test as the first step, which involves comparing the estimated undiscounted future cash flows for the asset group to the carrying amount of the asset group . If the net cash flows of the asset group exceed its carrying amount, the asset group is not considered to be impaired. If the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the net cash flows, there is an indication of potential impairment and the second step of the LLA impairment test is performed to measure the impairment amount. The second step involves determining the fair value of the asset group. Fair value is determined using valuation techniques that are in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including the market approach, income approach and cost approach. If the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value, then the excess represents the maximum amount of potential impairment that will be allocated to the asset group , with the limitation that the carrying value of each asset cannot be reduced to a value lower than that of its fair value. The total impairment amount allocated is recognized as a non-cash impairment loss. Goodwill Goodwill is recorded as at the date of the business combination and represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the fair value assigned to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the asset might be impaired. The impairment test is carried out in two steps. In the first step, the carrying value of the reporting unit including goodwill is compared with its fair value. When the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not to be impaired and the second step is unnecessary. The Company has one reporting unit . In the event the fair value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, is less than the carrying value, the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is compared with its carrying value to measure the amount of any impairment loss. When the carrying value of goodwill in the reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. Patent Finance Obligations Patent finance obligations have maturities beyond one year . Patent finance obligations, at inception, are recorded at their fair value using an estimated risk-adjusted discount rate and the carrying value is at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Business Segment Information The Company has one operating segment and one reportable segment ; Intellectual Property. The Company generates the majority of its revenues in U.S. dollars from several geographic regions; however it has allocated its revenues to the location in which the license originated. Substantially all l icenses and revenue are attributable to Canada , as are long-lived assets . Adoption of accounting pronouncements In May 2014, the F inancial Accounting Standards Board issued AS U 2014-9, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers". The amendments in this Update create Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, including most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. In addition, the amendments supersede the cost guidance in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts, and create new Subtopic 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs-Contracts with Cus tomers. In August 2015, the F inancial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" which reflec ts decisions reached by the F inancial Accounting Standards Board at its meeting earlier in the year to defer the effective date to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact this amendment will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2015-17 , " Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes ". The amendments in this update eliminate the current requirement for companies to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in a classified statement of financial position. Instead, companies will be required to classify all deferred tax liabilities and assets as non-current. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 , with e arly ad option permitted. The guidance will not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements since deferred income taxes are already presented as long-term on the balance sheet .

Taxes

Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Taxes	3. TAXES The reconciliation of the expected provision for income tax expense to the actual provision for income tax expense reported in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive earnings for the years ended December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 is as follows: 2015 2014 Earnings before income taxes $ 16,957 $ 20,624 Expected income tax expense at Canadian statutory income tax rate of 26.5 % (2014 - 26.5 %) 4,494 5,465 Permanent differences 380 2,471 Effect of change in tax rates 154 - Foreign withholding taxes paid 496 212 Foreign rate differential (683 ) (918 ) Prior year adjustments (1,180 ) 343 Increase in valuation allowance 3,260 3,340 Provision for income tax expense $ 6,921 $ 10,913 During the years ended December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 , the reported earnings before income taxes includes foreign losses of $ 8,299 and $ 7,940 , respectively. The significant components of the Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities as at December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 are as follows: 2015 2014 Tax loss carryforwards $ 26,155 $ 29,730 Scientific research and experimental development ("SR&ED") carryforwards 5,051 5,251 Share issue costs - 213 Investment tax credits 4,151 4,571 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,291 2,558 Difference between tax and book value of finance obligations (343 ) (693 ) Difference between tax and book value of capital and intangible assets (1,072 ) (6,758 ) Difference between tax and book value of loan receivable 27 36 Total deferred income tax asset 35,260 34,908 Valuation allowance (17,583 ) (14,323 ) Net deferred income tax asset $ 17,677 $ 20,585 Management has assigned probabilities to the Company’s expected future taxable income based on significant risk factors, sensitivity analysis and timing of non-capital tax losses. The amount of the deferred income tax asset considered realizable could change materially in the near term, based on future taxable income during the carryforward period. The valuation allowance consists of $ 7,165 in Canada and $ 10,41 8 in the US. As at December 31, 201 5 , the Company had unused non-capital tax losses of approximately $ 77, 647 (201 4 - $ 92,396 ) that are due to ex pire as follows: U.S. Tax Losses Canadian Tax Losses 2021 $ 203 $ - 2022 603 - 2023 616 - 2024 - - 2025 - - 2026 - - 2027 - - 2028 1 - 2029 9 1 2030 414 9,221 2031 3,026 2,442 2032 2,084 6,518 2033 4,807 30,139 2034 7,629 4,332 2035 3,685 1,917 $ 23,077 $ 54,570 The Company also has investment tax credits of $ 5,647 , that expire in various amounts from 2017 to 2032 , $ 22,068 of capital losses carried forward with no expiry date , and SR&ED expenditure pool of $ 19,061 (2014 - $ 19,813 ) with no expiry date . Investment tax credits, which are earned as a result of qualifying SR&ED expenditures, are recognized and applied to reduce income tax expense in the year in which the expenditures are made and their realization is reasonably assured. The Company had no uncertain income tax position s for the years ended December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 . The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax provision. In the years ended December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 , there were no interest or penalties included in the income tax provision. The Company files Canadian and U.S. federal and state income tax returns. The Company is subject to examination by the tax authorities for the tax years ended 200 9 through 201 4 .

Loan Receivable

Loan Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Loan Receivable	4. LOAN RECEIVABLE On October 19, 2012 (the “Closing Date”), the Company advanced a term loan facility in the amount of $ 1,000 to Montebello Technologies LLC (the “Borrower”). The loan bears interest at 15 % per annum, compounded annually with a maturity date of October 18, 2017 at which time the outstanding principal and accrued interest is to be fully repaid. The term loan facility is collateralized by a general security agreement. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the loan agreement the use of the funds is solely and exclusively for the purchase and monetization of patents and for the period commencing on the Closing Date to and including the tenth anniversary of the Closing Date, the Company will be entitled to receive (a) 15 % of the first $10 million in gross revenue and (b) 10 % of all gross revenue over the first $10 million realized by the Borrower from any patents acquired utilizing the term loan facility. To estimate the fair value, at inception, the Company considered the estimated future cash flow projections using an effective interest rate of 18 %. The carrying value of the term loan facility is as follows: As at December 31, As at December 31, 2015 2014 15 % Term loan facility $ 1,000 $ 1,000 Unamortized discount (70 ) (94 ) Accrued interest 567 362 Net carrying amount $ 1,497 $ 1,268

Furniture and Equipment

Furniture and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Cost Accumulated Depreciation Net Book Value As at December 31, 2015 Leasehold improvements $ 1,373 $ 322 $ 1,051 Computer equipment and software 2,092 1,843 249 Furniture and equipment 872 558 314 $ 4,337 $ 2,723 $ 1,614 As at December 31, 2014 Leasehold improvements $ 1,373 $ 184 $ 1,189 Computer equipment and software 2,825 2,545 280 Furniture and equipment 852 427 425 $ 5,050 $ 3,156 $ 1,894 The Company purchased property and equipment totaling $ 178 during 201 5 (201 4 - $ 422 ). During 2015, the Company disposed of property and equipment with a cost and accumulated amortization totaling $ 891 and $ 876 , respectively for no proceeds resulting in a loss on disposal of $15 .

Patents

Patents	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Patents	6. PATENTS Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Book Value As at December 31, 2015 Patents $ 357,059 $ 201,846 $ 155,213 As at December 31, 2014 Patents $ 312,702 $ 166,217 $ 146,485 The Company purchased patents totaling $ 46,973 during 201 5 (201 4 - $ 29,198 ) and recorded amortization expense of $ 36,498 (201 4 - $ 32,738 ). As of December 31, 201 5 , the estimated remaining economic useful lives of the patents range from one to thirteen years. In October 2015, the Company commenced a restructuring of its operations (see Note 13) and as a result undertook a review of its licensing programs to determine those which it would continue to support. The Company conclud ed that certain licensing programs would be terminated and the carrying value of the patent portfolios associated with these licensing programs were determined to be fully impaired. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash, pre-tax charge against its patents of $1,74 7 . T he Company experienced a significant decline in its share price subsequent to the announcement on November 4, 2015 that it had commenced a re structuring of its operations and was lowering its annual dividend . These events were considered by management to be an indicator of impairmen t, and as a result, a test for impairment of its long-lived asset s was performe d as of November 30, 2015 (the “Measurement Date”) . The patents ( “asset groups”) were categorized in accordance with their licensing programs . The Company performed the recoverability test using undiscounted cash flows of the asset groups based on the Company’s internal forecast and assumptions for each of the licensing programs. Based on this analysis , the Company concluded that the carrying value for the asset groups is recoverable, as the amount did not exceed the undiscounted cash flows as at the Measurement Date and therefore the second step of long-lived asset impairment was not r equired . The estimated future amortization expense of patents as of December 31, 201 5 is as follows: Year ending December 31: Amount 2016 $ 31,699 2017 21,088 2018 18,023 2019 16,276 2020 15,112 $ 102,198

Goodwill

Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	7. GOODWILL Due to the decline of its market capitalization subsequent to the announcement on November 4, 2015 that it had commenced a restructuring of its operations (see Note 13) and was lowering its annual dividend , the Company concluded that goodwill impairment indicators existed and a goodwill assessment was required . Consequently, the Company performed an impairment assessment by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, using an income based approach and market based approach , to its carrying value as at November 30, 2015. Under the income based approach, the Company used a discounted cash flow methodology. Under the market based approach, the Company considered its market capitalization in addition to an estimated control premium. The results of this impairment assessment indicated that the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeded it c arrying amount, therefore, the C ompany concluded there was no impairment of goodwill. In performing its annual goodwill impairment assessment as a t December 31, 201 5 , the Company determined there we re no material changes to the assumptions underlying the estimated fair value of the reporting unit or its carrying value, therefore, the Company concluded there was no impairment of goodwill as at December 31, 2015 . .

Patent Finance Obligations

Patent Finance Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Patent Finance Obligations	8. PATENT FINANCE OBLIGATIONS On June 18, 2013, the Company acquired the right to license certain patents, the consideration for which is to be fully paid on or before June 18, 2023 ; however; the timing of the payments is subject to the Company entering into certain future license agreements with third-parties. The Company has set up the liability based on its expected payment schedule using a discount rate of 6.0 %. The discount rate is an estimate of a risk-adjusted rate giving consideration to rates for revolving debt with no fixed payments. As at December 31, 201 5 , the current and long-term portion s of this obligation are $ 3,072 and $ 1 0,563 , respectively. On September 13, 2013, the Company acquired certain patents and entered into a licensing agreement with the same counter-party. The obligation was based on the quarterly payment stream of $ 1,389 using a discount rate of 4.5 %. The discount rate is an estimate of a risk-adjusted rate giving consideration to rates for secured term debt with fixed payments over a five year term. As at December 31, 201 5 , the current and long-term portion s of this obligation are $ 5,013 and $ 9,332 , respectively. On June 26, 2014, the Company acquired certain patents for future considerations while entering into a licensing agreement with the same counter-party. The obligation was based on an initial payment of $ 2,143 , a $ 12,000 payment in July 2014 and, beginning August 2014, six quarterly payments of $2,143 using a discount rate of 4.75 %. The discount rate is based on interest rates for secured term debt with fixed payments over a two year term. As at December 31, 201 5 , the current and long term portion s of this obligation are nil . The current and long-term portions of these obligations are reflected as follows: Gross Unamortized Discount Net Carrying Amount As at December 31, 2015 Patent rights finance obligation, due June 18, 2023 $ 14,000 $ (364 ) $ 13,636 Patent finance obligation, due August 18, 2018 15,277 (933 ) 14,344 29,277 (1,297 ) 27,980 Current portion (8,085 ) $ 19,895 Gross Unamortized Discount Net Carrying Amount As at December 31, 2014 Patent finance obligation, due November 26, 2015 $ 8,572 $ (217 ) $ 8,355 Patent rights finance obligation, due June 18, 2023 18,000 (609 ) 17,391 Patent finance obligation, due August 18, 2018 20,833 (1,696 ) 19,137 47,405 (2,522 ) 44,883 Current portion (17,418 ) $ 27,465 Payments are expected to be as follows: 2016 $ 8,556 2017 13,556 2018 7,165 $ 29,277

Accounts Payable and Accrued Li

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	9. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES As at December 31, As at December 31, 2015 2014 Trade payables $ 1,318 $ 2,522 Accrued compensation 3,146 3,883 Accrued litigation costs 2,363 100 Dividends 1,091 5,196 Success fee obligation 2,983 3,736 Accrued contingent partner payments & legal fees 1,140 974 Patent acquisition liability 9,000 - Accrued other 2,164 2,504 $ 23,205 $ 18,915 The success fee obligation is pursuant to the Company’s engagement with a law firm, for which the firm is entitled to a percentage of proceeds actually received from certain license agreements signed by the Company related to certain litigation matters concluded in 2011 in which the firm was representing the Company. Should the Company collect these amounts as contemplated in the agreements, the firm will be entitled to the entire success fee of $ 27,986 . For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company accrued the full, undiscounted amount of the success fee obligation. The current and long term portion of this liability is reflected as follows: As at December 31, As at December 31, 2015 2014 Success fee obligation $ 3,639 $ 7,375 Current portion (2,983 ) (3,736 ) $ 656 $ 3,639

Share Capital

Share Capital	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Share Capital	10. SHARE CAPITAL a) Authorized Unlimited number of common shares. 6,350.9 special preferred, redeemable, retractable, non-voting shares. An unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series. b) Issued and Outstanding The issued and outstanding common shares of WiLAN, along with equity instruments convertible into common shares, are as follows: As at December 31, As at December 31, 2015 2014 Common shares 120,842,448 120,247,647 Securities convertible into common shares Stock options 8,071,056 9,465,372 Deferred stock units (DSUs) 260,398 244,526 129,173,902 129,957,545 As at December 31, 201 5 , no preferred shares or special preferred shares were issued or outstanding. c) Common Shares Number Amount December 31, 2013 119,909,016 $ 425,238 Issued on exercise of stock options 423,031 759 Transfer from additional paid-in capital on exercise of options - 401 Issued on sale of shares under Employee Share Purchase Plan 65,600 171 Repurchased under normal course issuer bid (150,000 ) (532 ) December 31, 2014 120,247,647 $ 426,037 Issued on exercise of stock options 625,201 1,269 Transfer from additional paid-in capital on exercise of options - 787 Issued on sale of shares under Employee Share Purchase Plan 94,600 131 Repurchased under normal course issuer bid (125,000 ) (443 ) December 31, 2015 120,842,448 $ 427,781 The Company paid quarterly cash dividends as follows: 2015 2014 Per Share Total Per Share Total 1st Quarter Cdn $ 0.0500 US $ 5,183 Cdn $ 0.0400 US $ 4,510 2nd Quarter 0.0525 5,005 0.0400 4,339 3rd Quarter 0.0525 5,077 0.0400 4,510 4th Quarter 0.0525 4,817 0.0500 5,366 Cdn $ 0.2075 US $ 20,082 Cdn $ 0.1700 US $ 18,725 The Company declared quarterly dividends as follows: 2015 2014 1st Quarter Cdn $ 0.0525 Cdn $ 0.0400 2nd Quarter 0.0525 0.0400 3rd Quarter 0.0525 0.0500 4th Quarter 0.0125 0.0500 On May 27, 2014, the Company received regulatory approval to make a normal course issuer bid (the “2014 NCIB”) through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange. Under the 2014 NCIB, the Company wa s permitted to purchase up to 11,676,510 common shares. The 2014 NCIB commenced on May 29, 2014 and was completed on May 28, 2015 . The Company repurchased 1 25 ,000 common shares under the 2014 NCIB during the twelve months ended December 31, 201 5 for a total of $ 329 . The Company records share repurchases as a reduction to shareholders’ equity. A portion of the purchase price of the repurchased shares is recorded as a decrease to additional paid-in capital when the price of the shares repurchased exceeds the average original price per share received from the issuance of Common Stock or an increase to additional paid-in capital when the prices of the shares repurchased is less than the average original price per share received from the issuance of Common Stock. During the year ended December 31, 201 5 , the cumulative price of the shares repurchased was less than the proceeds received from the issuance of the same number of shares. For the year ended December 31, 201 5 , $ 114 was recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital . During the year ended December 31, 201 4 , the cumulative price of the shares repurchased was less than the proceeds received from the issuance of the same number of shares. For the year ended December 31, 2014, $ 60 was recorded as a n in crease to additional paid-in capital . d) Stock Options WiLAN has an Option Plan, a DSU plan, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and a RSU plan for its directors, employees and consultants. The current RSU plan calls for settlement only in cash. The Option Plan, the DSU plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan are considered “security based compensation arrangements” for the purposes of the TSX. The Company is authorized to issue up to an aggregate of 10 % of its outstanding common shares under these “security based compensation arrangements”, with the common shares authorized for issuance under the DSU plan limited to 430,000 and under the Employee Purchase Plan limited to 8 00,000 . The options vest at various times ranging from immediate vesting on grant to vesting over a three to four year period. Options generally have a six -year life. Option activity for the years ended December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 was as follows: Options Outstanding Exercisable Options Number of Options Price Range Weighted Average Exercise Price Number Weighted Average Exercise Price December 31, 2013 10,340,968 $ 1.88 $ 7.09 $ 4.62 5,314,786 $ 4.61 Granted 555,000 3.25 4.23 3.57 Exercised (423,031 ) 1.42 2.53 1.95 Forfeited (1,007,565 ) 3.33 7.06 5.02 December 31, 2014 9,465,372 $ 1.42 $ 7.06 $ 4.63 6,760,992 $ 4.83 Granted - - - - Exercised (625,201 ) 2.53 2.53 2.53 Forfeited (769,115 ) 2.53 5.52 3.97 December 31, 2015 8,071,056 $ 3.12 $ 7.09 $ 4.86 7,062,972 $ 4.97 The Company uses the Black-Scholes model for estimating the fair value of options granted, with the following weighted average assumptions for the options granted in 2014 : Risk free interest rate 1.6 % Volatility 49 % Expected option life (in years) 4.7 Dividend yield 4.6 % Forfeiture rate 8.9 % The weighted average fair value per option granted during the year ended December 31, 2014 was CDN $ 1.04 . The intrinsic value of options exercised was CDN $ 488 for the year ended December 31, 201 5 (201 4 – CDN $ 610 ). Intrinsic value is the total value of exercised options based on the price of the Company’s common shares at the time of the exercise less the proceeds received from the employees to exercise the options. The intrinsic value of the exercisable options was nil as at December 31, 201 5 . The total fair value of options vested was $ 1,634 for the year ended December 31, 201 5 . As of December 31, 201 5 , there was $ 268 of total unrecognized stock-based compensation cost, net of expected forfeitures, related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements granted under the stock option plan. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.03 years. Details of the outstanding options at December 31, 201 5 are as follows: Range of Exercise Prices Outstanding Options at December 31, 2015 Remaining Term of Options in Years Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercisable Options at December 31, 2015 Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 3.12 $ 4.00 917,912 3.85 $ 3.45 532,752 $ 3.46 4.01 6.00 6,808,144 1.92 4.94 6,185,220 4.99 6.01 7.09 345,000 1.65 7.00 345,000 7.00 $ 3.12 $ 7.09 8,071,056 2.13 $ 4.63 7,062,972 $ 4.97 Stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 201 5 was $ 847 (201 4 - $ 2,081 ). The following provides a summary of the stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 : 2015 2014 Cost of revenue $ 460 $ 840 Research and development 81 61 Marketing, general and administration 306 1,180 $ 847 $ 2,081 e) Deferred Stock Units The Company has a Deferred Stock Unit (“DSU”) plan as a tool to assist in the retention of selected employees and directors and to help conserve the Company’s cash position. Under the DSU plan, DSUs may be awarded and will become due when the conditions of retention have been met and employment terminated or completed. The value of each DSU is determined in reference to the Company’s common share price, and the DSU value is payable in either cash or shares at the Company’s option. DSUs issued and outstanding as at December 31, 201 5 were 260,398 ( 201 4 – 244,526 ). The liability recorded in respect of the outstanding DSUs was $ 367 as at December 31, 201 5 (201 4 - $ 742 ). The change in the liability is recorded as compensation expense. During the year ended December 31, 201 5 , DSUs were granted to certain directors in lieu of cash for their quarterly fees earned and dividends paid during the year ended December 31, 201 5 . f) Restricted Share Units The Company implemented a Restricted Share Unit (“RSU”) plan for certain employees and directors in January 2007. Under the RSU plan, units are settled in cash based on the market value of WiLAN’s common shares on the dates when the RSUs vest. The accrued liability and related expense for the RSUs are adjusted to reflect the market value of the common shares at each balance sheet date. The liability recorded in respect of the vested RSUs was $ 684 as at December 31, 201 5 (201 4 - $ 1,376 ). The change in the liability is recorded as compensation expense. RSU activity for the years ended December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 was as follows: Number December 31, 2013 361,314 Granted 1,251,522 Settled (115,517 ) Forfeited (203,041 ) December 31, 2014 1,294,278 Granted 1,101,021 Settled (103,155 ) Forfeited (783,112 ) December 31, 2015 1,509,032 During the year ended December 31, 201 5 , 783,112 RSUs (201 4 – 203,041 ) were forfeited as they related to former employees. g) Per Share Amounts The weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) computation was: 2015 2014 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 120,713,535 120,103,422 Effect of options 6,636 265,161 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 120,720,171 120,368,583 The effect of options totaling 8,071,056 for fiscal 201 5 (fiscal 201 4 – 8,763,349 ), were anti-dilutive.

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]
Financial Instruments	11. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Company is exposed to a number of risks related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, collection of accounts receivable and loan receivable, settlement of liabilities and management of cash and cash equivalents. Fair Value The Company uses various valuation techniques and assumptions when measuring fair value of its assets and liabilities. The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. The accounting standard establishe s a hierarchy that prioritizes fair value measurements based on the types of input used for the various valuation techniques (market approach, income approach and cost approach). The levels of the hierarchy are described below: Level 1 Inputs — Level 1 includes financial instruments for which quoted market prices for identical instruments are available in active markets. Level 2 Inputs — Level 2 includes financial instruments for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the instrument such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets) or model-driven valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data, including market interest rate curves, referenced credit spreads and pre-payment rates. Level 3 Inputs — Level 3 includes financial instruments for which fair value is derived from valuation techniques including pricing models and discounted cash flow models in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable, including the company’s own assumptions. The pricing models incorporate transaction details such as contractual terms, maturity and, in certain instances, timing and amount of future cash flows, as well as assumptions related to liquidity and credit valuation adjustments of marketplace participants. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value: Cash and cash equivalent, and short-term investments: The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments. Loan receivable: The fair value is estimated based on currently available market interest rates for instruments with similar terms . Patent finance obligations: The fair values are estimated based on the quoted market prices for those or similar instruments or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of similar terms. Foreign exchange contracts: The fair value of foreign currency contracts is estimated by obtaining quotes from brokers. The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows: As at December 31, 2015 As at December 31, 2014 Hierarchy Level Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Cash and cash equivalents 1 $ 93,431 $ 93,431 $ 126,311 $ 126,311 Short-term investments 1 1,120 1,120 1,336 1,336 Loan receivable 2 1,497 1,497 1,268 1,268 Patent finance obligations 2 27,980 27,980 44,883 44,883 Foreign currency contracts 2 - - (732 ) (732 ) Credit risk Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a licensee or counter-party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, loan receivable, and foreign exchange forward contracts. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents, and short-term investments consist primarily of deposit investments that are held only with Canadian chartered banks. Management does not expect any counter-parties to fail to meet their obligations. The Company’s loan receivable is a term loan facility which is collateralized by a general security agreement. Management does not expect the borrower to fail to meet its obligations. The Company’s exposure to credit risk with its accounts receivable from licensees is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of each licensee. The Company’s licensees are for the most part, manufacturers and distributors of telecommunications and consumer electronics products primarily located in the United States, Canada, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and China. Credit risk from accounts receivable encompasses the default risk of the Company’s licensees. Prior to entering into licensing agreements with new licensees the Company assesses the risk of default associated with the particular company. In addition, on an ongoing basis, management monitors the level of accounts receivable attributable to each licensee and the length of time taken for amounts to be settled and where necessary, takes appropriate action to follow up on those balances considered overdue. The Company has had no significant bad debts for any periods presented. T hree licensees individually accounted for 1 6 % , 12 % and 1 0 %, respectively of revenues from royalties for the year ended December 31, 201 5 (for the year ended December 31, 201 4 – two licensees individually accounted for 15 % and 13 %, respectively). Management does not believe that there is significant credit risk arising from any of the Company’s licensees for which revenue has been recognized. However, should one of the Company’s major licensees be unable to settle amounts due, the impact on the Company could be significant. The maximum exposure to loss arising from accounts receivable is equal to their total carrying amounts. At December 31, 201 5 , three licensee s individually accounted for 4 7 % , 15 % and 10 % of total accounts receivable (December 31, 201 4 – one licensee individually accounted for 5 7 % of total accounts receivable). Financial assets past due The following table provides information regarding the aging and collectability of the Company’s accounts receivable balances as at December 31, 201 5 : Current $ 7,664 Past due 1 - 30 days 435 Past due 31 - 60 days 71 Past due 61 - 90 days 4 Over 91 days past due 273 Less allowance for doubtful accounts (11 ) $ 8,436 The definition of items that are past due is determined by reference to terms agreed with individual licensees. As at January 28 , 201 5 , approximately $ 284 of past due amounts have been collected. None of the amounts outstanding have been challenged by the respective licensees and the Company continues to conduct business with them on an ongoing basis. Accordingly, management has no reason to believe that this balance is not fully collectable in the future. The Company reviews financial assets past due on an ongoing basis with the objective of identifying potential matters which could delay the collection of funds at an early stage. Once items are identified as being past due, contact is made with the respective company to determine the reason for the delay in payment and to establish an agreement to rectify the breach of contractual terms. At December 31, 201 5 , the Company had a provision for doubtful accounts of $ 1 1 (201 4 - $ 1 38 ) which was made against accounts receivable where collection efforts to date have been unsuccessful. Liquidity risk Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company’s objective in managing liquidity risk is to ensure that it has sufficient liquidity available to meet its liabilities when due. At December 31, 201 5 , the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $ 94,551 , a credit facilit y of CDN $ 8,000 and accounts receivable of $ 8,436 available to meet its obligations. The Company has a revolving credit facility available in the amount of CDN$ 8,000 or the equivalent in U.S. dollars for general corporate purposes and a further CDN$ 2,000 for foreign exchange facility. Canadian dollar or U.S. dollar amounts advanced under this credit facility are payable on demand and bear interest at the bank's Canadian prime rate plus 1.0 % per annum or U.S. base rate plus 1.0 % per annum. Borrowings under this facility are collateralized by a general security agreement over our cash and cash equivalents, receivables and present and future personal property. As at and during the twelve months ended December 31, 201 5 , the Company had no borrowings under this facility. Market risk Market risk is the risk to the Company that the fair value of future cash flows from its financial instruments will fluctuate due to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Market risk arises as a result of the Company generating revenues in foreign currencies. Interest rate risk The only financial instruments that expose the Company to interest rate risk are its cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. The Company’s objectives of managing its cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments are to ensure sufficient funds are maintained on hand at all times to meet day to day requirements and to place any amounts which are considered in excess of day to day requirements on short-term deposit with the Company’s banks so that they earn interest. When placing amounts of cash and cash equivalents into short-term investments, the Company only places investments with Canadian chartered banks and ensures that access to the amounts placed can be obtained on short-notice. A one percent increase/decrease in interest rates could have resulted in an approximate increase/decrease to investment income of $ 94 6 . Currency risk A portion of WiLAN’s revenues and operating expenses are denominated in Canadian dollars. Because the Company reports its financial performance in US dollars, WiLAN’s operating results are subject to changes in the exchange rate of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar. Any decrease in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar has an unfavourable impact on Canadian dollar denominated revenues and a favourable impact on Canadian dollar denominated operating expenses. Approximately 7 % of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and short term investments are denominated in Canadian dollars and are subject to changes in the exchange rate of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar. For the year ended December 31, 201 5 , the Company had revenues and expenses denominated in Canadian dollars of approximately nil and $ 17 ,912 , respectively. Fluctuations in foreign currency rates between the U.S. and Canadian dollars could impact the net exposure approximating $ 17,912 and adversely affect net earnings of the Company. At December 31, 201 5 , the Company had Canadian dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, and accounts receivable balances of approximately $ 5,394 and $ 3 respectively, offset by accounts payable and accrued liabilities totaling approximately $ 5,047 . Fluctuations in foreign currency rates between the U.S. and Canadian dollars could impact the net exposure approximating $ 3 49 and adversely affect net earnings of the Company. A ten cent increase/decrease in foreign currency rates between the U.S. and Canadian dollars could have resulted in an approximate increase/decrease to net and comprehensive earnings of $ 3 0 . The Company may manage the risk associated with foreign exchange rate fluctuations by, from time to time, entering into foreign exchange forward contracts and engaging in other hedging strategies. To the extent that WiLAN engages in risk management activities related to foreign exchange rates, it may be subject to credit risks associated with the counterparties with whom it contracts. The Company’s objective in obtaining foreign exchange forward contracts is to manage its risk and exposure to currency rate fluctuations related primarily to future cash inflows and outflows of Canadian dollars. The Company does not use foreign exchange forward contracts for speculative or trading purposes. As of December 31, 201 5 , the Company did not hold any foreign exchange forward contracts . For the year ended December 31, 201 5 the Company recorded approximately $ 2,498 of losses related to its foreign exchange forward contracts.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES a ) Operating lease The Company has lease agreements for office space and equipment with terms extending to 2023. The aggregate minimum annual lease payments under these agreements are as follows: Amount 2016 $ 580 2017 453 2018 368 2019 348 2020 348 2021 and thereafter 1,043 $ 3,140 b ) Other In connection with the acquisition of certain patents and patent rights, the Company has agreed to future additional payments to the former owners of the respective patents or patent rights, based on future revenues (as defined in the respective agreements) generated as a result of licensing the respective patents or patent portfolios. For the year ended December 31, 201 5 , partner royalties totaled $ 669 (year ended December 31, 201 4 – $974 ) of which $ 538 (as at December 31, 2014 - $ 974 ) remains outstanding as at December 31, 201 5 . On December 16, 2013, the Company engaged the services of an external law firm to represent the Company in certain patent infringement litigations. Pursuant to this engagement, in consideration for a discounted fixed fee arrangement, the Company has agreed to pay the firm a success fee which is based on a percentage of proceeds received (as defined in the respective agreements) pursuant to future license agreements resulting from these patent infringement litigations. As at December 31, 201 5 , the success fees are not yet determinable because the total proceeds have not yet been determined and therefore no amounts have been accrued.

Restructuring Charges

Restructuring Charges	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges	13. RESTRUCTURING CHARGES In Oct ober 2015, the Company undertook a restructuring plan which included a workforce reduction of approximately 30 %. The components of the restructuring charge included $ 1,2 72 for termination costs related to the affected employees, and $ 30 for lease obligations. The following table summarizes the details of the Company’s restructuring charges and related reserves: Workforce Reduction Lease Obligation Total Charges $ 1,272 $ 30 $ 1,302 Cash payments (760 ) (9 ) (769 ) Balance of provision as at December 31, 2015 $ 512 $ 21 $ 533

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	1 4 . SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION 2015 2014 Net interest received in cash, included in operations $ (207 ) $ (352 ) Cash taxes paid 3,623 5,045 Patents acquired under deferred financing arrangement - 26,482 Patent acquisition liability 9,000 -

Related-Party Transaction

Related-Party Transaction	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related-Party Transaction	1 5 . RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTION Dr. Michel Fattouche , a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, has provided consulting services to the Company. For the year ended December 31, 201 5 , consulting services have totaled $ 100 (year ended December 31, 201 4 – $ 76 ) all of which had been paid as at year end.

Significant Accounting Polici21

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements of WiLAN include the accounts of WiLAN and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
Estimates and Assumptions	Estimates and Assumptions The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the years. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant accounting policies contained herein include estimates and assumptions with respect to best estimate of selling price, determination of discount rates, recoverability of deferred tax assets, determination of indicators of impairment assessment and related impairment assessments , initial estimate of risk of concessions, timing of payments related to patent finance obligations, and the assumptions used in determining the fair value of stock options granted.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the accounting and tax bases of the assets and liabilities and measured using the substantively enacted tax rates that are expected to be in effect when the differences are estimated to be reversed. In assessing the realizability of deferred income tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient future taxable income during the periods prior to the expiration of the associated tax attributes.
Cost of Revenue	Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue includes patent licensing expenses, royalty obligations, staff costs (including stock-based compensation) and other costs incurred in conducting license negotiations as well as litigation , the expenses related to the management of the patent portfolio, contingent partner payments and legal fees and amortization expense related to acquired patents, which are expensed as incurred.
Research and Development ("R&D")	Research and Development (“R&D”) R&D includes engineering expenses, staff costs (including stock-based compensation) and certain external consultants related to the d evelopment efforts, which are expensed as incurred.
Computation of Earnings (Loss) Per Share	Computation of Earnings (Loss) Per Share Basic earnings/loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings/loss per share is computed using the treasury stock method.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar; monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average rate for the period. The gains and losses from foreign currency denominated transactions are included in foreign exchange gain/loss in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive earnings. The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts, from time to time, to manage its exposure to currency rate fluctuations related primarily to future cash inflows and outflows of Canadian dollars. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes and it has chosen not to designate them as hedges. Therefore these contracts must be fair valued each quarter. The resulting gain or loss on the valuation of these financial instruments is included in foreign exchange gain/loss in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive earnings.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in bank accounts, term deposits and Guaranteed Investment Certificates (“GICs”) with maturities of three months or less at the date of the investment .
Short Term Investments	Short-term Investments Short-term investments are designated as “held to maturity” and accounted for at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Short-term investments comprise GICs with maturities of one-year or less at the date of investment and their carrying value approximates their fair value.
Loan Receivable	Loan Receivable The loan receivable is accounted for at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Furniture and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows: Leasehold improvements term of the lease Computer equipment and software 3 years Furniture and equipment 5 years
Patents	Patents Patents include patents and patent rights (hereinafter, collectively “patents”) and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is calculated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful life or the remaining term of the patent (up to 20 years), whichever is less.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of long-lived assets The Company reviews long-lived assets ("LLA") such as property and equipment and patent asset groups for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset or asset group may not be recoverable. These events and circumstances may include significant decreases in the market price of an asset or asset group, significant changes in the extent or manner in which an asset or asset group is being used by the Company or in its physical condition, a significant change in legal factors or in the business climate, a history or forecast of future operating or cash flow losses, significant disposal activity, a significant decline in the Company's share price, a significant decline in revenues or adverse changes in the economic environment. When significant indicators of impairment exist, LLA impairment is tested using a two-step process. The Company performs a cash flow recoverability test as the first step, which involves comparing the estimated undiscounted future cash flows for the asset group to the carrying amount of the asset group . If the net cash flows of the asset group exceed its carrying amount, the asset group is not considered to be impaired. If the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the net cash flows, there is an indication of potential impairment and the second step of the LLA impairment test is performed to measure the impairment amount. The second step involves determining the fair value of the asset group. Fair value is determined using valuation techniques that are in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including the market approach, income approach and cost approach. If the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value, then the excess represents the maximum amount of potential impairment that will be allocated to the asset group , with the limitation that the carrying value of each asset cannot be reduced to a value lower than that of its fair value. The total impairment amount allocated is recognized as a non-cash impairment loss.
Goodwill	Goodwill Goodwill is recorded as at the date of the business combination and represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the fair value assigned to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the asset might be impaired. The impairment test is carried out in two steps. In the first step, the carrying value of the reporting unit including goodwill is compared with its fair value. When the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not to be impaired and the second step is unnecessary. The Company has one reporting unit . In the event the fair value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, is less than the carrying value, the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is compared with its carrying value to measure the amount of any impairment loss. When the carrying value of goodwill in the reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.
Patent Finance Obligation Policy Text Block	Patent Finance Obligations Patent finance obligations have maturities beyond one year . Patent finance obligations, at inception, are recorded at their fair value using an estimated risk-adjusted discount rate and the carrying value is at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.
Business Segment Information	Business Segment Information The Company has one operating segment and one reportable segment ; Intellectual Property. The Company generates the majority of its revenues in U.S. dollars from several geographic regions; however it has allocated its revenues to the location in which the license originated. Substantially all l icenses and revenue are attributable to Canada , as are long-lived assets .
Adoption of accounting pronouncements	Adoption of accounting pronouncements In May 2014, the F inancial Accounting Standards Board issued AS U 2014-9, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers". The amendments in this Update create Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, including most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. In addition, the amendments supersede the cost guidance in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts, and create new Subtopic 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs-Contracts with Cus tomers. In August 2015, the F inancial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" which reflec ts decisions reached by the F inancial Accounting Standards Board at its meeting earlier in the year to defer the effective date to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact this amendment will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2015-17 , " Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes ". The amendments in this update eliminate the current requirement for companies to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in a classified statement of financial position. Instead, companies will be required to classify all deferred tax liabilities and assets as non-current. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 , with e arly ad option permitted. The guidance will not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements since deferred income taxes are already presented as long-term on the balance sheet .
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The Company’s revenue consists principally of royalty revenue from licensing its own patent portfolio. The Company may also generate royalty revenue from licensing patent portfolios on behalf of its partners . The Company considers revenue to be earned when it has persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the obligation has been fulfilled in accordance with the terms of the licensing agreement, including delivery and acceptance, the amounts are fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. The Company defers recognizing revenue until such time as all criteria are met. Determination of whether or not these criteria have been met may require the Company to make judgments, assumptions and estimates based upon current information and historical experience. The Company’s royalty revenues consist of fixed fee and running royalty payments. Royalties from running royalty arrangements can be based on either a percentage of sales or number of units sold for which the Company earns royalties at the time the licensees’ sales occur. The licensees are obligated to provide the Company with quarterly or semi-annual royalty reports and these reports are typically received subsequent to the period in which the licensees underlying sales occurred. The Company’s licensees do not, however, report and pay royalties owed for sales in any given reporting period until after the conclusion of that reporting period. As the Company is unable to estimate the licensees’ sales in any given reporting period to determine the royalties due to it, the Company recognizes running royalty revenues based on royalties reported by the licensees during the quarter and when other revenue recognition criteria are met. The Company monitors the receipt of royalty reports to ensure that there is not a disproportionate number of months of revenue in any given fiscal year. Royalties from fixed fee royalty arrangements may consist of one or more installments of cash. The timing and amount of revenue recognized from each licensee depends upon a variety of factors, including the specific terms of each agreement and the nature of the deliverables and obligations. Where agreements include multiple elements, the Company assesses if the deliverables have standalone value upon delivery, and if so, accounts for each deliverable separately. When multiple-deliverables included in an arrangement are separated into different units of accounting, the arrangement consideration is allocated to the identified separate units based on a relative selling price hierarchy. WiLAN determines the relative selling price for a deliverable based on its best estimate of selling price (“BESP”). WiLAN determines BESP by considering its overall pricing objectives and market conditions. Significant pricing practices taken into consideration include discounting practices, the size and volume of transactions, the customer demographic, the geographic area covered by licenses, price lists, licensing strategy, historical standalone licenses and contracted royalty rates. The determination of BESP is made through consultation with and approval by management, taking into consideration the licensing strategy. As part of the partner ing agreements with third parties, the Company is able to recover certain out-of-pocket expenses and legal costs. These amounts are included in revenue in the years which the aforementioned revenue criteria is met and the amounts become reimbursable. Revenue arrangements with extended payment terms, where fees are fixed in one or more installments of cash and which contain terms that could impact the amounts ultimately collected, are generally recognized as collection becomes assured.
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Stock-based Compensation	Stock-based Compensation The Company has a share option plan (“Option Plan”) for certain employees, directors and consultants. The Company accounts for stock options using the fair value method. Compensation expense is measured at the estimated fair value of the options at the date of grant and charged to earnings on a straight-line basis over the vesting periods. The amount expensed is credited to additional paid-in capital in the period. Upon the exercise of stock options, cash received is credited to share capital together with any amount previously credited to additional paid-in capital related to the options exercised.
Deferred Stock Units (DSUs) [Member]
Stock-based Compensation	Deferred Stock Units (“DSUs” ) The Company has a DSU plan for certain employees and directors. The DSUs vest immediately and the Company has the right to settle the DSUs in either cash or by the issuance of common shares. The liability for outstanding units and related expense for the DSUs are adjusted to reflect the market value of the common shares at each balance sheet date.
Restricted Share Units (RSUs) [Member]
Stock-based Compensation	Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”) The Company has a RSU plan for certain employees and directors. Under the RSU plan, units are settled in cash based on the market value of WiLAN’s common shares on dates the RSUs vest. The RSUs vest over a three -year period. The accrued liability and related expense for the RSUs are adjusted to reflect the market value of the common shares at each balance sheet date .

Significant Accounting Polici22

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Depreciation is Calculated on Straight-Line Basis Over Estimated Useful Lives of Assets	Furniture and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows: Leasehold improvements term of the lease Computer equipment and software 3 years Furniture and equipment 5 years

Taxes (Tables)

Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Expected Provision for Income Tax Expense	The reconciliation of the expected provision for income tax expense to the actual provision for income tax expense reported in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive earnings for the years ended December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 is as follows: 2015 2014 Earnings before income taxes $ 16,957 $ 20,624 Expected income tax expense at Canadian statutory income tax rate of 26.5 % (2014 - 26.5 %) 4,494 5,465 Permanent differences 380 2,471 Effect of change in tax rates 154 - Foreign withholding taxes paid 496 212 Foreign rate differential (683 ) (918 ) Prior year adjustments (1,180 ) 343 Increase in valuation allowance 3,260 3,340 Provision for income tax expense $ 6,921 $ 10,913
Significant Components of Future Income Tax Assets and Liabilities	The significant components of the Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities as at December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 are as follows: 2015 2014 Tax loss carryforwards $ 26,155 $ 29,730 Scientific research and experimental development ("SR&ED") carryforwards 5,051 5,251 Share issue costs - 213 Investment tax credits 4,151 4,571 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,291 2,558 Difference between tax and book value of finance obligations (343 ) (693 ) Difference between tax and book value of capital and intangible assets (1,072 ) (6,758 ) Difference between tax and book value of loan receivable 27 36 Total deferred income tax asset 35,260 34,908 Valuation allowance (17,583 ) (14,323 ) Net deferred income tax asset $ 17,677 $ 20,585
Summary of Tax Losses and Scientific Research and Experimental Development Expenditure	As at December 31, 201 5 , the Company had unused non-capital tax losses of approximately $ 77, 647 (201 4 - $ 92,396 ) that are due to ex pire as follows: U.S. Tax Losses Canadian Tax Losses 2021 $ 203 $ - 2022 603 - 2023 616 - 2024 - - 2025 - - 2026 - - 2027 - - 2028 1 - 2029 9 1 2030 414 9,221 2031 3,026 2,442 2032 2,084 6,518 2033 4,807 30,139 2034 7,629 4,332 2035 3,685 1,917 $ 23,077 $ 54,570
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amounts of Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits	The Company had no uncertain income tax position s for the years ended December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 .

Loan Receivable (Tables)

Loan Receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Carrying Value of Term Loan Facility	The carrying value of the term loan facility is as follows: As at December 31, As at December 31, 2015 2014 15 % Term loan facility $ 1,000 $ 1,000 Unamortized discount (70 ) (94 ) Accrued interest 567 362 Net carrying amount $ 1,497 $ 1,268

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of Property and Equipment	Cost Accumulated Depreciation Net Book Value As at December 31, 2015 Leasehold improvements $ 1,373 $ 322 $ 1,051 Computer equipment and software 2,092 1,843 249 Furniture and equipment 872 558 314 $ 4,337 $ 2,723 $ 1,614 As at December 31, 2014 Leasehold improvements $ 1,373 $ 184 $ 1,189 Computer equipment and software 2,825 2,545 280 Furniture and equipment 852 427 425 $ 5,050 $ 3,156 $ 1,894

Patents (Tables)

Patents (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Patents	Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Book Value As at December 31, 2015 Patents $ 357,059 $ 201,846 $ 155,213 As at December 31, 2014 Patents $ 312,702 $ 166,217 $ 146,485
Estimated Future Amortization Expense of Patents	The estimated future amortization expense of patents as of December 31, 201 5 is as follows: Year ending December 31: Amount 2016 $ 31,699 2017 21,088 2018 18,023 2019 16,276 2020 15,112 $ 102,198

Patent Finance Obligations (Tab

Patent Finance Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Current and Long-Term Portions of Obligations	The current and long-term portions of these obligations are reflected as follows: Gross Unamortized Discount Net Carrying Amount As at December 31, 2015 Patent rights finance obligation, due June 18, 2023 $ 14,000 $ (364 ) $ 13,636 Patent finance obligation, due August 18, 2018 15,277 (933 ) 14,344 29,277 (1,297 ) 27,980 Current portion (8,085 ) $ 19,895 Gross Unamortized Discount Net Carrying Amount As at December 31, 2014 Patent finance obligation, due November 26, 2015 $ 8,572 $ (217 ) $ 8,355 Patent rights finance obligation, due June 18, 2023 18,000 (609 ) 17,391 Patent finance obligation, due August 18, 2018 20,833 (1,696 ) 19,137 47,405 (2,522 ) 44,883 Current portion (17,418 ) $ 27,465
Schedule of Payments Expected	Payments are expected to be as follows: 2016 $ 8,556 2017 13,556 2018 7,165 $ 29,277

Accounts Payable and Accrued 28

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	As at December 31, As at December 31, 2015 2014 Trade payables $ 1,318 $ 2,522 Accrued compensation 3,146 3,883 Accrued litigation costs 2,363 100 Dividends 1,091 5,196 Success fee obligation 2,983 3,736 Accrued contingent partner payments & legal fees 1,140 974 Patent acquisition liability 9,000 - Accrued other 2,164 2,504 $ 23,205 $ 18,915
Schedule of Current and Long Term Liability	The current and long term portion of this liability is reflected as follows: As at December 31, As at December 31, 2015 2014 Success fee obligation $ 3,639 $ 7,375 Current portion (2,983 ) (3,736 ) $ 656 $ 3,639

Share Capital (Tables)

Share Capital (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Common Shares Issued and Outstanding	The issued and outstanding common shares of WiLAN, along with equity instruments convertible into common shares, are as follows: As at December 31, As at December 31, 2015 2014 Common shares 120,842,448 120,247,647 Securities convertible into common shares Stock options 8,071,056 9,465,372 Deferred stock units (DSUs) 260,398 244,526 129,173,902 129,957,545
Schedule of Common Stock	Number Amount December 31, 2013 119,909,016 $ 425,238 Issued on exercise of stock options 423,031 759 Transfer from additional paid-in capital on exercise of options - 401 Issued on sale of shares under Employee Share Purchase Plan 65,600 171 Repurchased under normal course issuer bid (150,000 ) (532 ) December 31, 2014 120,247,647 $ 426,037 Issued on exercise of stock options 625,201 1,269 Transfer from additional paid-in capital on exercise of options - 787 Issued on sale of shares under Employee Share Purchase Plan 94,600 131 Repurchased under normal course issuer bid (125,000 ) (443 ) December 31, 2015 120,842,448 $ 427,781
Schedule of Quarterly Cash Dividends Paid	The Company paid quarterly cash dividends as follows: 2015 2014 Per Share Total Per Share Total 1st Quarter Cdn $ 0.0500 US $ 5,183 Cdn $ 0.0400 US $ 4,510 2nd Quarter 0.0525 5,005 0.0400 4,339 3rd Quarter 0.0525 5,077 0.0400 4,510 4th Quarter 0.0525 4,817 0.0500 5,366 Cdn $ 0.2075 US $ 20,082 Cdn $ 0.1700 US $ 18,725
Schedule of Declared Quarterly Dividends	The Company declared quarterly dividends as follows: 2015 2014 1st Quarter Cdn $ 0.0525 Cdn $ 0.0400 2nd Quarter 0.0525 0.0400 3rd Quarter 0.0525 0.0500 4th Quarter 0.0125 0.0500
Schedule of Option Activity	Option activity for the years ended December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 was as follows: Options Outstanding Exercisable Options Number of Options Price Range Weighted Average Exercise Price Number Weighted Average Exercise Price December 31, 2013 10,340,968 $ 1.88 $ 7.09 $ 4.62 5,314,786 $ 4.61 Granted 555,000 3.25 4.23 3.57 Exercised (423,031 ) 1.42 2.53 1.95 Forfeited (1,007,565 ) 3.33 7.06 5.02 December 31, 2014 9,465,372 $ 1.42 $ 7.06 $ 4.63 6,760,992 $ 4.83 Granted - - - - Exercised (625,201 ) 2.53 2.53 2.53 Forfeited (769,115 ) 2.53 5.52 3.97 December 31, 2015 8,071,056 $ 3.12 $ 7.09 $ 4.86 7,062,972 $ 4.97
Estimated Fair Value of Options Granted, Weighted Average Assumptions	The Company uses the Black-Scholes model for estimating the fair value of options granted, with the following weighted average assumptions for the options granted in 2014 : Risk free interest rate 1.6 % Volatility 49 % Expected option life (in years) 4.7 Dividend yield 4.6 % Forfeiture rate 8.9 %
Details of Outstanding Options	Details of the outstanding options at December 31, 201 5 are as follows: Range of Exercise Prices Outstanding Options at December 31, 2015 Remaining Term of Options in Years Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercisable Options at December 31, 2015 Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 3.12 $ 4.00 917,912 3.85 $ 3.45 532,752 $ 3.46 4.01 6.00 6,808,144 1.92 4.94 6,185,220 4.99 6.01 7.09 345,000 1.65 7.00 345,000 7.00 $ 3.12 $ 7.09 8,071,056 2.13 $ 4.63 7,062,972 $ 4.97
Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Expense	The following provides a summary of the stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 : 2015 2014 Cost of revenue $ 460 $ 840 Research and development 81 61 Marketing, general and administration 306 1,180 $ 847 $ 2,081
Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity	RSU activity for the years ended December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 was as follows: Number December 31, 2013 361,314 Granted 1,251,522 Settled (115,517 ) Forfeited (203,041 ) December 31, 2014 1,294,278 Granted 1,101,021 Settled (103,155 ) Forfeited (783,112 ) December 31, 2015 1,509,032
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Used in Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share Computation	The weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) computation was: 2015 2014 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 120,713,535 120,103,422 Effect of options 6,636 265,161 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 120,720,171 120,368,583

Financial Instruments (Tables)

Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]
Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Entity's Financial Instruments	The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows: As at December 31, 2015 As at December 31, 2014 Hierarchy Level Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Cash and cash equivalents 1 $ 93,431 $ 93,431 $ 126,311 $ 126,311 Short-term investments 1 1,120 1,120 1,336 1,336 Loan receivable 2 1,497 1,497 1,268 1,268 Patent finance obligations 2 27,980 27,980 44,883 44,883 Foreign currency contracts 2 - - (732 ) (732 )
Information Regarding Aging and Collectability of Accounts Receivable	The following table provides information regarding the aging and collectability of the Company’s accounts receivable balances as at December 31, 201 5 : Current $ 7,664 Past due 1 - 30 days 435 Past due 31 - 60 days 71 Past due 61 - 90 days 4 Over 91 days past due 273 Less allowance for doubtful accounts (11 ) $ 8,436

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Aggregate Minimum Annual Lease Payments under Operating Lease	The Company has lease agreements for office space and equipment with terms extending to 2023. The aggregate minimum annual lease payments under these agreements are as follows: Amount 2016 $ 580 2017 453 2018 368 2019 348 2020 348 2021 and thereafter 1,043 $ 3,140

Restructuring Charges (Tables)

Restructuring Charges (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of Restructuring Charges and Related Reserves	The following table summarizes the details of the Company’s restructuring charges and related reserves: Workforce Reduction Lease Obligation Total Charges $ 1,272 $ 30 $ 1,302 Cash payments (760 ) (9 ) (769 ) Balance of provision as at December 31, 2015 $ 512 $ 21 $ 533

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform33

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Summary of Supplemental Cash Flow Information	2015 2014 Net interest received in cash, included in operations $ (207 ) $ (352 ) Cash taxes paid 3,623 5,045 Patents acquired under deferred financing arrangement - 26,482 Patent acquisition liability 9,000 -

Significant Accounting Polici34

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015Reporting_UnitSegments
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents maturities	Three months or less at the date of the investment.
Short-term investments comprise GICs with maturities	One year or less at the date of investment
Number of reporting unit | Reporting_Unit	1
Patent finance obligations, maturity	Beyond one year
Number of operating segment | Segments	1
Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	20 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
RSUs vesting period	3 years

Significant Accounting Polici35

Significant Accounting Policies - Depreciation is Calculated on Straight-Line Basis Over Estimated Useful Lives of Assets (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Leasehold improvements	term of the lease
Computer equipment and software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of assets	3 years
Furniture and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of assets	5 years

Taxes - Reconciliation of Expec

Taxes - Reconciliation of Expected Provision for Income Tax Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Earnings before income taxes	$ 16,957	$ 20,624
Expected income tax expense at Canadian statutory income tax rate of 26.5% (2014 - 26.5%)	4,494	5,465
Permanent differences	380	2,471
Effect of change in tax rates	154
Foreign withholding taxes paid	496	212
Foreign rate differential	(683)	(918)
Prior year adjustments	(1,180)	343
Increase in valuation allowance	3,260	3,340
Provision for income tax recovery	$ 6,921	$ 10,913

Taxes - Reconciliation of Exp37

Taxes - Reconciliation of Expected Provision for Income Tax Expense (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Canadian statutory income tax rate	26.50%	26.50%

Taxes - Additional Information

Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Foreign losses included in reported loss before income taxes	$ 8,299	$ 7,940
Valuation allowance	17,583	14,323
Unused non-capital tax losses	77,647	92,396
Investment tax credits	$ 5,647
Tax credits expiration period	2017-2032
Capital losses carried forward	$ 22,068
Income tax provision, interest or penalties	0	$ 0
Canada [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	7,165
Unused non-capital tax losses	54,570
U.S. [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	10,418
Unused non-capital tax losses	$ 23,077

Taxes - Significant Components

Taxes - Significant Components of Future Income Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax loss carryforwards	$ 26,155	$ 29,730
Scientific research and experimental development ("SR&ED") carryforwards	5,051	5,251
Share issue costs		213
Investment tax credits	4,151	4,571
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	1,291	2,558
Difference between tax and book value of finance obligations	(343)	(693)
Difference between tax and book value of capital and intangible assets	(1,072)	(6,758)
Difference between tax and book value of loan receivable	27	36
Total deferred income tax asset	35,260	34,908
Valuation allowance	(17,583)	(14,323)
Net deferred income tax asset	$ 17,677	$ 20,585

Taxes - Summary of Tax Losses a

Taxes - Summary of Tax Losses and Scientific Research and Experimental Development Expenditure (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	$ 77,647	$ 92,396
U.S. [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	23,077
Canada [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	54,570
2021 [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	203
2022 [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	603
2023 [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	616
2028 [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	1
2029 [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	9
2029 [Member] | Canada [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	1
2030 [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	414
2030 [Member] | Canada [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	9,221
2031 [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	3,026
2031 [Member] | Canada [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	2,442
2032 [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	2,084
2032 [Member] | Canada [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	6,518
2033 [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	4,807
2033 [Member] | Canada [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	30,139
Expiration Date Two Thousand And Thirty Four | U.S. [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	7,629
Expiration Date Two Thousand And Thirty Four | Canada [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	4,332
Expiration Date Two Thousand And Thirty Five | U.S. [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	3,685
Expiration Date Two Thousand And Thirty Five | Canada [Member]
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
U.S. Tax Losses	$ 1,917

Loan Receivable - Additional In

Loan Receivable - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 19, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Term loan facility	$ 1,000
Estimated future cash flow projections, effective interest rate		18.00%
On first 10 million gross revenue [Member]
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Gross revenue realized by borrower from patents acquired utilizing the term loan facility, company's entitlement percentage		15.00%
On all gross revenue over first 10 million [Member]
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Gross revenue realized by borrower from patents acquired utilizing the term loan facility, company's entitlement percentage		10.00%
Term Loan [Member]
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of interest on Term loan facility	15.00%	15.00%	15.00%
Term loan maturity date	Oct. 18, 2017

Loan Receivable - Carrying Valu

Loan Receivable - Carrying Value of Term Loan Facility (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Loans Receivable Net [Abstract]
15% Term loan facility	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Unamortized discount	(70)	(94)
Accrued interest	567	362
Net carrying amount	$ 1,497	$ 1,268

Loan Receivable - Carrying Va43

Loan Receivable - Carrying Value of Term Loan Facility (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 19, 2012
Term Loan [Member]
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of interest on Term loan facility	15.00%	15.00%	15.00%

Property and Equipment - Schedu

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Furniture and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	$ 4,337	$ 5,050
Accumulated Depreciation	2,723	3,156
Net Book Value	1,614	1,894
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	1,373	1,373
Accumulated Depreciation	322	184
Net Book Value	1,051	1,189
Computer equipment and software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	2,092	2,825
Accumulated Depreciation	1,843	2,545
Net Book Value	249	280
Furniture and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	872	852
Accumulated Depreciation	558	427
Net Book Value	$ 314	$ 425

Property and Equipment - Additi

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Purchased property and equipment	$ 178	$ 422
Cost of disposed property and equipment	891
Accumulated amortization of disposed property and equipment	$ 876

Patents - Schedule of Patents (

Patents - Schedule of Patents (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net Book Value	$ 155,213	$ 146,485
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	357,059	312,702
Accumulated Amortization	201,846	166,217
Net Book Value	$ 155,213	$ 146,485

Patents - Additional Informatio

Patents - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Purchase of patents	$ 46,973	$ 29,198
Amortization expense	36,498	$ 32,738
Non-cash, pre-tax charge on patents	$ 1,747
Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	20 years
Patents [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	1 year
Patents [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	14 years

Patents - Estimated Future Amor

Patents - Estimated Future Amortization Expense of Patents (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Net [Abstract]
2,016	$ 31,699
2,017	21,088
2,018	18,023
2,019	16,276
2,020	15,112
Estimated future amortization expense of patents	$ 102,198

Goodwill - Additional Informati

Goodwill - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Impairment of goodwill	$ 0

Patent Finance Obligation - Add

Patent Finance Obligation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 26, 2014	Sep. 13, 2013	Jun. 18, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 01, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of obligation				$ 8,085	$ 17,418
Long term portion of obligation				$ 19,895	$ 27,465
Patent Rights Finance Obligation, Due June 18, 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Discount rate			6.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date				Jun. 18, 2023	Jun. 18, 2023
Current portion of obligation				$ 3,072
Long term portion of obligation				$ 10,563
Patent Finance Obligation, Due August 18, 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Discount rate		4.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date				Aug. 18, 2018	Aug. 18, 2018
Current portion of obligation				$ 5,013
Long term portion of obligation				$ 9,332
Discount payment stream		$ 1,389
Patent Finance Obligation, Due August 18, 2018 [Member] | Secured Term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured term debt, term				5 years
Patent Finance Obligation, Due November 26, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.75%
Debt instrument, maturity date					Nov. 26, 2015
Long term portion of obligation				$ 0
Discount payment stream	$ 2,143
Secured term debt, term				2 years
Initial payment						$ 12,000	$ 2,143

Patent Finance Obligation - Cur

Patent Finance Obligation - Current and Long-Term Portions of Obligations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross	$ 29,277	$ 47,405
Unamortized Discount	(1,297)	(2,522)
Net Carrying Amount	27,980	44,883
Current portion	(8,085)	(17,418)
Long term portion of obligation	19,895	27,465
Patent Rights Finance Obligation, Due June 18, 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross	14,000	18,000
Unamortized Discount	(364)	(609)
Net Carrying Amount	13,636	17,391
Current portion	(3,072)
Long term portion of obligation	10,563
Patent Finance Obligation, Due August 18, 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross	15,277	20,833
Unamortized Discount	(933)	(1,696)
Net Carrying Amount	14,344	19,137
Current portion	(5,013)
Long term portion of obligation	9,332
Patent Finance Obligation, Due November 26, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross		8,572
Unamortized Discount		(217)
Net Carrying Amount		$ 8,355
Long term portion of obligation	$ 0

Patent Finance Obligation - C52

Patent Finance Obligation - Current and Long-Term Portions of Obligations (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Patent Finance Obligation, Due November 26, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date		Nov. 26, 2015
Patent Rights Finance Obligation, Due June 18, 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date	Jun. 18, 2023	Jun. 18, 2023
Patent Finance Obligation, Due August 18, 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date	Aug. 18, 2018	Aug. 18, 2018

Patent Finance Obligation - Sch

Patent Finance Obligation - Schedule of Payments Expected (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2,016	$ 8,556
2,017	13,556
2,018	7,165
Total	$ 29,277	$ 47,405

Accounts Payable and Accrued 54

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities - Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
Trade payables	$ 1,318	$ 2,522
Accrued compensation	3,146	3,883
Accrued litigation costs	2,363	100
Dividends	1,091	5,196
Success fee obligation	2,983	3,736
Accrued contingent partner payments & legal fees	1,140	974
Patent acquisition liability	9,000
Accrued other	2,164	2,504
Accrued liabilities current	$ 23,205	$ 18,915

Accounts Payable and Accrued 55

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
Success fee obligation	$ 27,986

Accounts Payable and Accrued 56

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities - Schedule of Current and Long Term Liability (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
Success fee obligation	$ 3,639	$ 7,375
Current portion	(2,983)	(3,736)
Long term portion	$ 656	$ 3,639

Share Capital - Additional Info

Share Capital - Additional Information (Detail) CAD / shares in Units, CAD in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)CAD / shares	Dec. 31, 2015CADshares	Dec. 31, 2014CAD
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Special preferred, redeemable, retractable, non-voting, Shares Authorized	6,350.9			6,350.9
Preference shares issued or outstanding	0			0
Purchase of common shares under NCIB	11,676,510			11,676,510
Stock Repurchase Program Expiration Date	May 28, 2015
Repurchased common shares under NCIB	125,000
Repurchased common shares under NCIB, Value | $	$ 329	$ 472
Increase in additional paid in capital | $	114	60
Weighted average fair value per option granted | CAD / shares			CAD 1.04
Intrinsic value of options exercised | CAD				CAD 488	CAD 610
Fair value of options vested | $	1,634
Unrecognized stock-based compensation cost, net of expected forfeitures | $	$ 268
Expected weighted average period for recognition of unrecognized compensation cost	1 year 11 days
Stock-based compensation | $	$ 847	$ 2,081
Deferred Stock Unit issued and outstanding	260,398	244,526
Anti-dilutive effect of options	8,071,056	8,763,349
Security Based Compensation Arrangements [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Common shares outstanding, Percent	10.00%
DSU Plan [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Common shares authorized for issuance	430,000			430,000
Liability recorded in respect of outstanding stock-based compensation | $	$ 367	$ 742	CAD 742
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Common shares authorized for issuance	800,000			800,000
Options vesting, Expiration date	6 years
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Options vesting period	3 years
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Options vesting period	4 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Options vesting period	3 years
Liability recorded in respect of outstanding stock-based compensation | $	$ 684	$ 1,376	CAD 1,376
Restricted stock units cancelled	783,112	203,041
2014 NCIB [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Repurchased common shares under NCIB, Value | $	$ 329

Share Capital - Components of C

Share Capital - Components of Common Shares Issued and Outstanding (Detail) - shares	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common shares	120,842,448	120,247,647	119,909,016
Total common shares outstanding including convertible equity instruments	129,173,902	129,957,545
DSU Plan [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Securities convertible into common shares	260,398	244,526
Stock options [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Securities convertible into common shares	8,071,056	9,465,372

Share Capital - Schedule of Com

Share Capital - Schedule of Common Stock (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Beginning balance, Shares	120,247,647	119,909,016
Issued on exercise of stock options, Shares	625,201	423,031
Issued on sale of shares under Employee Share Purchase Plan, Shares	94,600	65,600
Repurchased under normal course issuer bid, Shares	(125,000)
Ending balance, Shares	120,842,448	120,247,647
Beginning balance	$ 426,037	$ 425,238
Issued on exercise of stock options	1,269	759
Transfer from additional paid-in capital on exercise of options	787	401
Issued on sale of shares under Employee Share Purchase Plan	131	171
Repurchased under normal course issuer bid	(329)	(472)
Ending balance	$ 427,781	$ 426,037
Capital Stock [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Repurchased under normal course issuer bid, Shares	(125,000)	(150,000)
Issued on exercise of stock options	$ 2,056	$ 1,160
Issued on sale of shares under Employee Share Purchase Plan	131	171
Repurchased under normal course issuer bid	$ (443)	$ (532)

Share Capital - Schedule of Qua

Share Capital - Schedule of Quarterly Cash Dividends Paid (Detail) $ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2015CAD / shares

Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2015CAD / shares

Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015CAD / shares

Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2015CAD / shares

Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014CAD / shares

Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2014CAD / shares

Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2014CAD / shares

Mar. 31, 2014USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2014CAD / shares

Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2015CAD / shares

Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014CAD / shares

Equity [Abstract]

Cash dividends, Per Share | CAD / shares

CAD 0.0525

CAD 0.0525

CAD 0.0525

CAD 0.0500

CAD 0.0500

CAD 0.0400

CAD 0.0400

CAD 0.0400

CAD 0.2075

CAD 0.1700

Cash dividends paid | $

$ 4,817

$ 5,077

$ 5,005

$ 5,183

$ 5,366

$ 4,510

$ 4,339

$ 4,510

$ 20,082

$ 18,725

Share Capital - Schedule of Dec

Share Capital - Schedule of Declared Quarterly Dividends (Detail) - CAD / shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Dividends declared	CAD 0.0125	CAD 0.0525	CAD 0.0525	CAD 0.0525	CAD 0.0500	CAD 0.0500	CAD 0.0400	CAD 0.0400

Share Capital - Schedule of Opt

Share Capital - Schedule of Option Activity (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Beginning balance, Number of Options	9,465,372	10,340,968
Granted, Number of Options		555,000
Exercised, Number of Options	(625,201)	(423,031)
Forfeited, Number of Options	(769,115)	(1,007,565)
Ending balance, Number of Options	8,071,056	9,465,372
Exercise Price Range, lower range	$ 3.12	$ 1.42	$ 1.88
Exercise Price Range, upper range	7.09	7.06	$ 7.09
Beginning balance, Weighted Average, Price per Share	4.63	4.62
Granted, Weighted Average, Price per Share		3.57
Exercised, Weighted Average, Price per Share	2.53	1.95
Forfeited, Weighted Average, Price per Share	3.97	5.02
Ending balance, Weighted Average, Price per Share	$ 4.86	$ 4.63
Number of Exercisable Options	7,062,972	6,760,992	5,314,786
Weighted Average Price of Exercisable Options	$ 4.97	$ 4.83	$ 4.61
Granted [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, lower range		3.25
Exercise Price Range, upper range		4.23
Exercised [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, lower range	2.53	1.42
Exercise Price Range, upper range	2.53	2.53
Forfeited [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, lower range	2.53	3.33
Exercise Price Range, upper range	$ 5.52	$ 7.06

Share Capital - Estimated Fair

Share Capital - Estimated Fair Value of Options Granted, Weighted Average Assumptions (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Risk free interest rate	1.60%
Volatility	49.00%
Expected option life (in years)	4 years 5 months 73 days
Dividend yield	4.60%
Forfeiture rate	8.90%

Share Capital - Details of Outs

Share Capital - Details of Outstanding Options (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Outstanding Options at December 31, 2015	8,071,056	9,465,372	10,340,968
Weighted Average Price of Outstanding Options	$ 4.86	$ 4.63	$ 4.62
Exercisable Options at December 31, 2015	7,062,972	6,760,992	5,314,786
Exercise Price, Range One [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower Range of Exercise Price	$ 3.12
Upper Range of Exercise Price	$ 4
Outstanding Options at December 31, 2015	917,912
Remaining Term of Options in Years	3 years 10 months 6 days
Weighted Average Price of Outstanding Options	$ 3.45
Exercisable Options at December 31, 2015	532,752
Weighted Average Price of Exercisable Options	$ 3.46
Exercise Price, Range Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower Range of Exercise Price	4.01
Upper Range of Exercise Price	$ 6
Outstanding Options at December 31, 2015	6,808,144
Remaining Term of Options in Years	1 year 11 months 1 day
Weighted Average Price of Outstanding Options	$ 4.94
Exercisable Options at December 31, 2015	6,185,220
Weighted Average Price of Exercisable Options	$ 4.99
Exercise Price, Range Three [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower Range of Exercise Price	6.01
Upper Range of Exercise Price	$ 7.09
Outstanding Options at December 31, 2015	345,000
Remaining Term of Options in Years	1 year 7 months 24 days
Weighted Average Price of Outstanding Options	$ 7
Exercisable Options at December 31, 2015	345,000
Weighted Average Price of Exercisable Options	$ 7
Exercise Price, Range Four [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower Range of Exercise Price	3.12
Upper Range of Exercise Price	$ 7.09
Outstanding Options at December 31, 2015	8,071,056
Remaining Term of Options in Years	2 years 1 month 17 days
Weighted Average Price of Outstanding Options	$ 4.63
Exercisable Options at December 31, 2015	7,062,972
Weighted Average Price of Exercisable Options	$ 4.97

Share Capital - Summary of Stoc

Share Capital - Summary of Stock Based Compensation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 847	$ 2,081
Cost of revenue [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	460	840
Research and development [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	81	61
Marketing, general and administration [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 306	$ 1,180

Share Capital - Summary of Rest

Share Capital - Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	1,294,278	361,314
Granted	1,101,021	1,251,522
Settled	(103,155)	(115,517)
Forfeited	(783,112)	(203,041)
Ending Balance	1,509,032	1,294,278

Share Capital - Weighted Averag

Share Capital - Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Used in Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share Computation (Detail) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	120,713,535	120,103,422
Effect of options	6,636	265,161
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	120,720,171	120,368,583

Financial Instruments - Summary

Financial Instruments - Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Entity's Financial Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, Carrying Amount	$ 93,431	$ 126,311	$ 130,394
Short-term investments, Carrying Amount	1,120	1,336
Loan receivable, Carrying Amount	1,497	1,268
Patent finance obligations, Carrying Amount	27,980	44,883
Hierarchy Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, Carrying Amount	93,431	126,311
Short-term investments, Carrying Amount	1,120	1,336
Cash and cash equivalents, Fair Value	93,431	126,311
Short-term investments, Fair Value	1,120	1,336
Hierarchy Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Loan receivable, Carrying Amount	1,497	1,268
Patent finance obligations, Carrying Amount	27,980	44,883
Foreign currency contracts, Fair Value		(732)
Loan receivable, Fair Value	1,497	1,268
Patent finance obligations, Fair Value	$ 27,980	44,883
Foreign currency contracts, Fair Value		$ (732)

Financial Instruments - Additio

Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) CAD in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)Customer	Dec. 31, 2015CADCustomer	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)Customer	Dec. 31, 2015CAD	Jan. 28, 2015USD ($)
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Past due amount collected | $					$ 284
Provision for doubtful debts | $	$ 11		$ 138
Cash and cash equivalent and short-term investments | $	94,551
Amount of credit facilities, available				CAD 8,000
Accounts receivable (Note 11) | $	8,436		$ 2,198
Amount of credit facilities, available for general corporate purposes				8,000
Amount of credit facilities, available for foreign exchange facility				2,000
Borrowings under credit facility | $	0
One percent increase/decrease in interest rates resulting to investment income | $	946
Revenues denominated value		CAD 0
Expenses denominated value		17,912
Fluctuations in foreign currency rates		17,912
One cent increase/decrease in foreign currency resulting comprehensive loss | $	30
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts loss | $	$ 2,498
Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Liabilities, Reporting currency denominated value				5,047
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Asset, Reporting currency denominated value				5,394
Cash And Cash Equivalents And Short-Term Investments And Accounts Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Fluctuations in foreign currency rates		CAD 349
Canada [Member] | Prime Rate [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%	1.00%
U.S. [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%	1.00%
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Asset, Reporting currency denominated value				CAD 3
Revenue from Rights Concentration Risk [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Number of major licensees | Customer	3	3	2
Revenue from Rights Concentration Risk [Member] | Revenue, Rights Granted [Member] | Licensee One [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	16.00%	16.00%	15.00%
Revenue from Rights Concentration Risk [Member] | Revenue, Rights Granted [Member] | Licensee Two [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	12.00%	12.00%	13.00%
Revenue from Rights Concentration Risk [Member] | Revenue, Rights Granted [Member] | Licensee Three [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	10.00%	10.00%
Credit Concentration Risk [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Number of major licensees | Customer	3	3	1
Credit Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member] | Licensee One [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	47.00%	47.00%	57.00%
Credit Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member] | Licensee Two [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	15.00%	15.00%
Credit Concentration Risk [Member] | Accounts Receivable [Member] | Licensee Three [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	10.00%	10.00%
Currency Denomination Concentration Risk [Member] | Cash And Cash Equivalents and Short Term Investments [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	7.00%	7.00%

Financial Instruments - Informa

Financial Instruments - Information Regarding Aging and Collectability of Accounts Receivable (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Total accounts receivable	$ 8,436	$ 2,198
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Current	7,664
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	11
Total accounts receivable	8,436
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] | Past due 1 - 30 days [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, past due	435
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] | Past due 31 - 60 days [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, past due	71
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] | Past due 61 - 90 days [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, past due	4
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] | Over 91 days past due [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, past due	$ 273

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Aggregate Minimum Annual Lease Payments under Operating Lease (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2,016	$ 580
2,017	453
2,018	368
2,019	348
2,020	348
2021 and thereafter	1,043
Total annual lease payments	$ 3,140

Commitments and Contingencies72

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued partner program royalties	$ 669	$ 974
Accrued partner program royalties outstanding	$ 538	$ 974

Restructuring Charges - Additio

Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Percentage of workforce reduction	30.00%
Restructuring charge		$ 1,302
Workforce Reduction [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	$ 1,272	1,272
Lease Obligation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	$ 30	$ 30

Restructuring Charges - Summary

Restructuring Charges - Summary of Restructuring Charges and Related Reserves (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge		$ 1,302
Cash payments		(769)
Balance of provision		533
Workforce Reduction [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	$ 1,272	1,272
Cash payments		(760)
Balance of provision		512
Lease Obligation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charge	$ 30	30
Cash payments		(9)
Balance of provision		$ 21

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform75

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Summary of Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net interest received in cash, included in operations	$ (207)	$ (352)
Cash taxes paid	3,623	5,045
Patent acquisition liability	$ 9,000
Patents [Member]
Patents acquired under deferred financing arrangement		$ 26,482

Related-Party Transaction - Add

Related-Party Transaction - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Director
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Consulting services fees paid	$ 100	$ 76